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Laos vs Malaysia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a population of 7.77M (ranked 103/197), compared with 35.6M in Malaysia (ranked 44/197). Laos' land area is 89,112 sq mi versus 126,854 sq mi for Malaysia (ranked 79th vs. 65th).

By GDP, Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B) and Malaysia ranks 38/197 ($422B). By GDP per capita, Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124), while Malaysia ranks 79/197 ($11,874).

Main facts and rankings

Laos Malaysia
Population
8004838
36512221
Population rank 103/197 45/197
GDP
$16.5B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank 139/197 38/197
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank 155/197 79/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$38,779
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank 119/185 62/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$11,005
2026
Land area 89,112 sq mi 126,854 sq mi
Population density
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026
287 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.42
2023
1.55
2023
Median age
25.6 years
2024
31.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.7 years
2026
77.2 years
2026

Laos and Malaysia: Comparison Charts

Laos and Malaysia economies compared

GDP
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP
Laos Malaysia
2024 $16,502,933,121 $422,227,005,429
2023 $15,843,155,731 $399,949,418,753
2022 $15,468,785,204 $407,830,525,990
2021 $18,827,148,531 $373,784,553,030
2020 $18,981,805,250 $337,456,163,961
2019 $18,740,561,513 $365,177,721,022
2018 $18,141,641,090 $358,788,845,713
2017 $17,071,155,481 $319,109,094,160
2016 $15,912,501,723 $301,256,033,870
2015 $14,426,380,126 $301,355,266,965
2014 $13,279,245,886 $338,066,095,097
2013 $11,983,252,627 $323,276,235,524
2012 $10,192,846,339 $314,443,047,642
2011 $8,750,104,617 $297,951,668,675
2010 $7,131,771,015 $255,017,638,456
2009 $5,836,137,330 $202,257,453,037
2008 $5,446,433,157 $230,811,614,370
2007 $4,223,152,739 $193,549,569,478
2006 $3,455,030,061 $162,692,258,307
2005 $2,735,558,735 $143,534,405,819
2004 $2,366,398,120 $124,749,473,684
2003 $2,023,324,407 $110,202,368,421
2002 $1,758,176,653 $100,845,526,316
2001 $1,768,619,058 $92,783,947,368
2000 $1,731,198,022 $93,789,736,842
1999 $1,454,430,642 $79,148,421,053
1998 $1,280,177,839 $72,167,498,981
1997 $1,747,011,857 $100,005,323,302
1996 $1,873,671,550 $100,855,393,910
1995 $1,763,536,305 $88,705,342,903
1994 $1,543,606,345 $74,478,356,958
1993 $1,327,748,690 $66,894,966,969
1992 $1,127,806,945 $59,167,550,163
1991 $1,028,087,972 $49,143,148,094
1990 $865,559,879 $44,024,585,240
1989 $714,046,821 $38,847,965,293
1988 $598,961,269 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,087,273,104 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,776,842,097 $27,734,111,400
1985 $2,366,666,616 $31,199,633,353
1984 $1,757,142,856 $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Laos and Malaysia economies compared

GDP per capita
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Laos Malaysia
2024 $2,124 $11,874
2023 $2,067 $11,386
2022 $2,046 $11,755
2021 $2,526 $10,903
2020 $2,584 $9,958
2019 $2,589 $10,920
2018 $2,545 $10,902
2017 $2,432 $9,863
2016 $2,303 $9,477
2015 $2,121 $9,649
2014 $1,981 $11,013
2013 $1,813 $10,714
2012 $1,564 $10,601
2011 $1,362 $10,217
2010 $1,126 $8,899
2009 $935 $7,191
2008 $886 $8,372
2007 $697 $7,169
2006 $579 $6,158
2005 $466 $5,556
2004 $409 $4,939
2003 $355 $4,465
2002 $313 $4,184
2001 $320 $3,944
2000 $319 $4,084
1999 $272.3 $3,528
1998 $243.9 $3,294
1997 $339 $4,679
1996 $371 $4,837
1995 $358 $4,363
1994 $321 $3,758
1993 $283.4 $3,462
1992 $247.3 $3,141
1991 $231.8 $2,679
1990 $200.7 $2,469
1989 $170.4 $2,244
1988 $147.1 $2,100
1987 $274.7 $1,977
1986 $462 $1,760
1985 $633 $2,046
1984 $483 $2,300
1983 - $2,124
1982 - $1,938
1981 - $1,866
1980 - $1,886
1979 - $1,680
1978 - $1,327
1977 - $1,092
1976 - $940
1975 - $811
1974 - $848
1973 - $701
1972 - $472
1971 - $407
1970 - $380
1969 - $368
1968 - $342
1967 - $335
1966 - $339
1965 - $326
1964 - $303
1963 - $291.8
1962 - $238.8
1961 - $232.9
1960 - $240.8

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Laos vs. Malaysia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Laos Malaysia
2026 69.7 77.2
2025 69.5 77
2024 69.2 76.8
2023 69 76.7
2022 68.7 75.4
2021 67.8 73.9
2020 68.3 76.1
2019 67.9 75.9
2018 67.6 75.7
2017 67.3 75.5
2016 67 75.4
2015 66.7 75.3
2014 66.3 75.3
2013 65.7 75.5
2012 65.1 75.6
2011 64.5 75.5
2010 63.7 75.4
2009 63 75.3
2008 62.2 75.2
2007 61.7 75
2006 61.1 74.7
2005 60.7 74.4
2004 60.1 74
2003 59.6 73.7
2002 59.3 73.5
2001 58.9 73.1
2000 58.3 72.7
1999 57.9 72.4
1998 57.5 72.4
1997 57.3 72.3
1996 56.8 72.1
1995 56.3 72
1994 55.8 71.9
1993 55.6 71.7
1992 55.1 71.5
1991 54.7 71.2
1990 54 71
1989 53.6 70.8
1988 53.1 70.6
1987 52.6 70.4
1986 52.1 70.1
1985 51.6 69.9
1984 51 69.6
1983 50.5 69.2
1982 49.9 68.9
1981 49.2 68.5
1980 48.6 68.1
1979 47.5 67.6
1978 46.8 67.2
1977 46.4 66.7
1976 46 66.2
1975 46.1 65.7
1974 45.9 65.2
1973 44.7 64.7
1972 44.4 64.2
1971 44.1 63.8
1970 43.8 63.3
1969 43.5 62.9
1968 43.2 62.4
1967 42.9 62
1966 42.3 61.7
1965 42.2 61.1
1964 41.9 60.4
1963 41.5 59.7
1962 42.3 58.9
1961 41.3 58
1960 41 57.2
1959 40.7 56.3
1958 41.2 55.4
1957 40.9 54.5
1956 40.6 53.7
1955 40.3 52.8
1954 40 52
1953 39.7 51.1
1952 39.4 50.1
1951 39.2 49.2
1950 38.9 48.5

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Laos and Malaysia population clocks and comparison

Population
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Population
Laos Malaysia
2024 7,769,819 35,557,673
2023 7,664,993 35,126,298
2022 7,559,007 34,695,493
2021 7,453,194 34,282,399
2020 7,346,533 33,889,558
2019 7,237,636 33,440,596
2018 7,128,045 32,910,967
2017 7,018,147 32,355,644
2016 6,908,802 31,789,685
2015 6,801,645 31,232,798
2014 6,703,172 30,696,137
2013 6,611,385 30,174,265
2012 6,518,978 29,662,831
2011 6,426,590 29,162,039
2010 6,334,194 28,655,776
2009 6,241,642 28,124,778
2008 6,148,969 27,570,059
2007 6,056,236 26,998,389
2006 5,963,200 26,417,909
2005 5,869,523 25,836,071
2004 5,781,626 25,256,772
2003 5,697,945 24,679,602
2002 5,610,889 24,102,477
2001 5,521,482 23,526,538
2000 5,431,212 22,967,816
1999 5,340,784 22,435,531
1998 5,248,266 21,906,713
1997 5,152,011 21,375,218
1996 5,045,678 20,850,087
1995 4,929,409 20,330,599
1994 4,809,220 19,820,446
1993 4,685,060 19,322,664
1992 4,559,646 18,834,572
1991 4,435,118 18,342,464
1990 4,311,955 17,833,171
1989 4,190,974 17,314,997
1988 4,072,601 16,796,605
1987 3,957,612 16,276,737
1986 3,846,715 15,760,419
1985 3,739,985 15,252,258
1984 3,637,843 14,759,009
1983 3,541,001 14,285,907
1982 3,450,026 13,832,798
1981 3,366,631 13,399,203
1980 3,292,573 12,983,363
1979 3,228,202 12,627,862
1978 3,171,740 12,328,157
1977 3,118,923 12,035,713
1976 3,064,876 11,750,097
1975 3,005,521 11,471,914
1974 2,939,761 11,200,906
1973 2,870,573 10,935,621
1972 2,801,660 10,676,835
1971 2,734,628 10,423,453
1970 2,669,702 10,178,802
1969 2,606,959 9,947,597
1968 2,546,377 9,725,281
1967 2,487,715 9,507,099
1966 2,431,084 9,284,688
1965 2,376,200 9,056,408
1964 2,322,826 8,828,406
1963 2,271,061 8,602,160
1962 2,219,910 8,380,172
1961 2,169,796 8,164,443
1960 2,121,514 7,956,197

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Laos and Malaysia

Fertility rate
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Laos Malaysia
2023 2.42 1.55
2022 2.46 1.55
2021 2.49 1.56
2020 2.54 1.68
2019 2.59 1.78
2018 2.63 1.84
2017 2.69 1.89
2016 2.74 1.94
2015 2.8 2.01
2014 2.8 2.06
2013 2.87 2.07
2012 2.95 2.12
2011 3.05 2.15
2010 3.14 2.14
2009 3.23 2.22
2008 3.33 2.26
2007 3.44 2.25
2006 3.56 2.31
2005 3.69 2.39
2004 3.9 2.49
2003 4.02 2.6
2002 4.13 2.66
2001 4.29 2.81
2000 4.43 2.94
1999 4.64 3.07
1998 4.79 3.12
1997 4.96 3.23
1996 5.15 3.3
1995 5.36 3.32
1994 5.6 3.35
1993 5.8 3.36
1992 5.9 3.37
1991 5.99 3.34
1990 6.06 3.3
1989 6.1 3.31
1988 6.16 3.5
1987 6.21 3.57
1986 6.26 3.7
1985 6.33 3.8
1984 6.37 3.89
1983 6.38 3.93
1982 6.37 3.97
1981 6.35 4
1980 6.33 4.04
1979 6.31 4.09
1978 6.3 4.18
1977 6.29 4.28
1976 6.29 4.4
1975 6.29 4.5
1974 6.29 4.62
1973 6.28 4.73
1972 6.28 4.82
1971 6.3 4.92
1970 6.31 5.04
1969 6.3 5.16
1968 6.3 5.29
1967 6.31 5.43
1966 6.31 5.64
1965 6.32 5.84
1964 6.31 6.03
1963 6.32 6.19
1962 6.31 6.3
1961 6.31 6.37
1960 6.29 6.41

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Laos and Malaysia demographics compared

Median age
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Median age, years
Laos Malaysia
2024 25.6 31.5
2023 25.3 31.1
2022 25 30.6
2021 24.7 30.1
2020 24.4 29.6
2019 24.1 29.2
2018 23.8 28.8
2017 23.6 28.5
2016 23.3 28.1
2015 23 27.8
2014 22.7 27.5
2013 22.3 27.1
2012 21.9 26.8
2011 21.4 26.4
2010 21 26
2009 20.5 25.6
2008 20 25.1
2007 19.6 24.8
2006 19.2 24.5
2005 18.9 24.2
2004 18.7 24
2003 18.5 23.9
2002 18.4 23.7
2001 18.2 23.6
2000 18.1 23.5
1999 18 23.4
1998 18 23.1
1997 18 22.9
1996 17.9 22.7
1995 17.9 22.5
1994 17.9 22.3
1993 17.9 22.1
1992 17.9 21.9
1991 17.9 21.7
1990 17.9 21.5
1989 17.9 21.3
1988 17.9 21.1
1987 17.8 21
1986 17.8 20.9
1985 17.8 20.7
1984 17.8 20.5
1983 17.8 20.4
1982 17.8 20.1
1981 17.9 19.9
1980 17.9 19.7
1979 18 19.5
1978 18.1 19.3
1977 18.3 19
1976 18.4 18.8
1975 18.5 18.6
1974 18.6 18.3
1973 18.7 18.1
1972 18.7 17.9
1971 18.7 17.6
1970 18.7 17.4
1969 18.8 17.3
1968 18.8 17.1
1967 18.9 17
1966 18.9 16.9
1965 18.9 16.8
1964 19 16.9
1963 19 17
1962 19.1 17.1
1961 19.2 17.3
1960 19.2 17.5

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Laos Malaysia
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$414B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
23.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
1.23%
2023
3.51%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.19%
2013
0.99%
2024
Armed forces personnel
129,000
2020
136,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+2.34%
2024
-3.95%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
3.93%
2022
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
37%
2024
Economic freedom index
50.9
2026
68
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
2.3%
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00008%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
1,031
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$116B
2024
Personal remittances received
$247M
2024
$1.61B
2024
International tourist arrivals
886,400
2020
4,333,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
3.51%
2020
1.63%
2020
Banked people share
37.7%
2024
88.7%
2024

Energy

Laos Malaysia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
815 kg
2022
2,867 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.8
2022
$12
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
26.1 megatons
2024
296 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
3.35 tons
2024
8.32 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
96%
2022
Renewable energy use share
49.2%
2022
7.5%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
54.2%
2022
2.88%
2022
Net energy imports use share
-49%
2022
-0.58%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,264 kWh
2022
4,986 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
63.3%
2021
17%
2021
Hydroelectric share
75.9%
2022
16.6%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
96.5%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Laos Malaysia
% of world population
0.1%
2024
0.44%
2024
Annual migration change
-10,645
2025
+166,615
2025
Urban population
39.6%
2024
76.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.2:49.8
2024
52.4:47.6
2024
Average male height
5.34 ft
2025
5.55 ft
2025
Average female height
5.02 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
29.2
2026
68.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
52
2025
Higher education index
19
2026
76
2026
Homicides per 100K people
7.01
2015
0.72
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
17.9
2019
22.5
2019
Visa free countries
61
2025
174
2025
Adult literacy rate
75.6%
2023
95.8%
2022
English speaking
6%
2025
57.3%
2023
People using the Internet
63.6%
2023
98%
2024

Health

Laos Malaysia
Government health expenditure per capita
$27.4
2023
$450
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$12.3
2023
$167
2023
Life expectancy
69.7 years
2026
77.2 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
15.4%
2023
0.001%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.33
2022
2.34
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
112
2023
26
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39
2023
8.1
2023
Obesity rate
8.32%
2022
22.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.7%
2024
21.1%
2024
Air quality index
20
2026
41
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
27.2%
2022
22%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
10.8 liters
2020
0.74 liters
2020

Territory

Laos Malaysia
% of world land
0.15%
2026
0.22%
2026
Land area per capita
11,469 sq mi
2024
3,568 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
8,831 sq mi
2026
33,093 sq mi
2026
Forest area
63,676 sq mi
2026
73,219 sq mi
2026
Roads length
24,598 mi
2009
173,898 mi
2022

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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